Illegal political donation fines would be public under Redford government bill

Darcy Henton, Calgary Herald11.20.2012

"This bill goes a long way toward ensuring that Alberta's electoral system remains both accountable and responsive to Albertans' needs," Justice Minister and Solicitor General Jonathan Denis said Tuesday.

EDMONTON - Albertans will finally get to see who has been fined or reprimanded by the chief electoral officer for illegal political donations.

The Redford government introduced Bill 7, the Election Accountability Amendment Act, Tuesday to require the chief electoral officer discloses the findings of his investigations into election act violators.

A key amendment will empower the chief electoral officer to report publicly on violations dating back three years - a change that may result in reporting on at least 37 prohibited corporations that are known to have illegally donated money to Alberta provincial parties.

"This bill goes a long way toward ensuring that Alberta's electoral system remains both accountable and responsive to Albertans' needs," Justice Minister and Solicitor General Jonathan Denis said in a statement.

Opposition critics have hammered the Progressive Conservative government for the past two years over the secrecy of investigations into illegal fundraising that has mainly involved purchases of tickets to fundraising events by prohibited entities, like municipal councils, schools, agencies, boards and commissions.

The provincial government has said repeatedly it believed the chief electoral officer had the power to disclose the results of his investigations, but he has steadfastly maintained the wording of his governing legislation prohibits public disclosure.

Bill 7 also increases the maximum administrative penalty for election financing violations to double the amount donated illegally, to a maximum of $10,000 - up from the current maximum of $1,000.

The bill also incorporates in whole or part 90 of the 101 recommendations from the chief electoral officer to improve Alberta elections and also extends the terms of municipal politicians to four years from three.

"Elections are the foundation of our democracy and these changes ensure Albertans will continue to have great confidence in our electoral system," said Municipal Affairs Minister Doug Griffiths in a statement. "This is an important piece of legislation that ensures municipal elections are conducted in a secure, fair and impartial manner."

The bill requires voters in municipal elections to have identification that includes their name and address. Other changes to the election laws will require provincial election or party leadership candidates to disclose all donations over $250, down from the current disclosure limit of $375.

Elections Alberta reported in July that it had opened 81 files during its review of allegations that political parties had received contributions from prohibited corporations and that it had levied "administrative penalties" to 37 entities.

The Progressive Conservative Party released a list of eight prohibited donors whose donations had been refunded. The list included Calgary Laboratory Services, Athabasca University, the County of Grande Prairie, the City of Medicine Hat and the towns of Fahler, Okotoks, High River and Redcliff.Some other highlights of Bill 7 include:

No changes to the annual $30,000 limit on individual donations.

Increasing reporting of donations from annually to quarterly.

Adding an extra day of voting to advanced polls.

Allowing students to vote in the jurisdiction where they attend school.

Giving chief electoral officer authority to decide not to investigate allegations he determines are frivolous or vexacious.

Requiring election pollsters to identify who is conducting the poll and for whom the poll is being conducted.

Preventing telephone pollsters from blocking call display number.

Changing election nomination deadline to day 10, rather than day 14, after the election is called.

Allowing chief electoral officer to disallow the use of nicknames on senate ballots.

Requiring election campaign chief financial officers to issue receipts that state that the donor is aware of contribution rules.

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Illegal political donation fines would be public under Redford government bill

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